Cleared the #SeriesBingo for 2021 with the second volume of the Crumbley books. I managed to at continue or DNF many of my started series. Some I even got to finish! This challenge really motived me to continue reading on all my started series. Hopefully, it'll continue in 2022!

@AkashaVampie

Rudolf Simeks books are always very well researched and highly informative. He clearly loves his work, which shows in all his works. He writes for people who are advanced in reading nonfiction, since he uses lots of names, dates, and wars. This can be boring for some, but for those with a soft spot for history, and especially the Vikings, he is THE author to read.

@TheAromaofBooks#BookSpinBingo

This might be the last recipe I'll try for our #FoodandLit trip to #Mexico - Tacos al Pastor. I've had this recipe around for quite a while and thought, now is the perfect time to try it. It turned out nice, it's something different, not that well known, but nothing I'd say I'd make again.

@Texreader @Butterfinger

What a fantastic retelling of A Tale Of Two Cities! But don't worry, you don't have to know the origins of the story to enjoy this book. But you should be crazy enough to enjoy a crazy story. Hollywood is a mess. Bradbury just shows us how big this mess really is. I already liked the first Crumley book, but this one I loved. Most of the time I didn't know what's going on - and enjoyed the feeling of knowing where the story is going. Amazing!

By now most of you know how much I love the Culture Smart series. I use them for almost every country visited with the #FoodandLit challenge. So now it was #Mexico and once again I could learn so much by listening to this audio book. I do prefer the audio book because then you also hear how certain words and names are spoken in each language. Highly informative and for everyday use, this book once again shows the strengths of this special series.

Not bad, not good, but somewhere in between. Öhri tries to find an answer to what've happened to the (in)famous Hindenburg. Actually, this could've been quite an interesting topic, but the author just doesn't seem to capture ones attention. His style is dragging, and he constantly repeats himself. He tried to paint a picture of the atmosphere right before WWII, which he manages pretty well, but I kept asking myself what all this had to do with ⬇

I got myself a Bingo today 😊 Not sure if I manage to fill in all Free spots by the end of the month. Two I'll manage for sure, but I'm not sure about the other two... My motivation sits in the corner, eating Christmas cookies without me... 😏

@TheAromaofBooks #BookSpinBingo

With this book, the trilogy comes to an end... And even though I'm not quite satisfied with how it ends, it was still a great book to read, and I loved diving into this magical, bewitched world. I fell even more for Zofia, she grew so much! Chokshi does have a great talent for drawing characters, but Zofia is exeptional. Her character development is astonishing. Guess I need to read more by Roshani Chokshi, right?

Thank you so much for tagging me, @Crazeedi ❤
1. Tagged. Loving it ❤
2. Everything pumpkin and chestnuts 😋
3. Small Spaces by Katherine Arden

I tag whoever comes along and feels like playing - go for it! 😄

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

In this book we learn about Hungary's history from early times until recent events. Dalos writes in an easy to read style that almost feels like reading a novel. Name dropping happens, and the middle part is a bit slow, but I recommend this book to everyone who's interested in Hungary. I was especially interested in all the information about what happened in the country in recent years.

@TheAromaofBooks#BookSpinBingo

Sadly, it was a mistake to start reading Bolano with this book. It's his last work and unfinished, but most of all does it connects all his other books. So if you, like me, haven't read anything by this author yet - start with another one! Bolano uses a very literate writing style, often refers to other cultural titles from South America and has a clear view on social focal points. I'm sure I would've enjoyed this title, if I had more insight ⬇

I guess this Tortilla Noodle Salad is more Texmex than actual Mexican - but for me as a Swiss person it's so hard to tell apart 😅 I've added some Mole to the recipe to make it a bit more original, though 😆 And yes, it was tasty and pure comfort food. The combination of the tortilla, the beans and the mole was great. It wouldn't have needed the pasta, but pasta makes everything extra nice, right? 😅

#Mexico #FoodandLit @Texreader @Butterfinger

#ThinkPositiveBePositive @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Thank you @SamanthaMarie for tagging me 😊 I'm still playing, even though it's Saturday already 😅

1. I love unreliable narrators. They make the whole thing more interesting. And who can you trust, if you know, that the narrator isn't trustworthy?

2. I love t-shirts, magnets, key chains with bookish texts and pictures 😄

3. Tagged. Such a great book ❤

@MoonWitch94

Even though I loved The Cerulian Sea a lot more, this is still an absolutely great and moving book. It just got a bit too cheesy too often for me 😅 But I like how Klune tells us, that it's never to late to change - even in death. Another philosophical artwork written by a very talented author.

@TheAromaofBooks #BookSpinBingo #BookSpin

Alois Prinz is a tip for all those readers who want to read more non-fiction, but having troubles with the often dry writings of those. The books by Prinz read themselves like novels. They're easy and fast to read, but still very good in research and details. No question this biography of Teresa of Avila is a pick - I learned a lot about her life, her thinking and also the times she lived in. Teresa was such an inspiring character, doesn't matter⬇

This is already the fifth instalment with Massimo Capaul, and I still enjoy his adventures. The books there are, the more I'd recommend starting with volume one. Calonder is building up a whole setting of characters and relationships, which I wouldn't have thought when I first started reading this series. This volume is a rather dark one, and I found myself reading more and more, faster and faster. I so wanted to know what was going on!

It took me quite long to finally read THE story about our national hero. I'm quite happy I did. This is Marvel 1.0 with an overpowered superhero, but actually a nice read. Yes, I enjoy reading Schiller 😅 Now I also finally know the whole story, and not only parts of it. As always, the Reclam XL edition comes with sone interesting background information 👍

#BookSpin @TheAromaofBooks

Hubby and I celebrated our 10 years anniversary on the 11.11.21 ❤️ Before I even knew about #Mexico being this months country for the #FoodandLit challenge, we decide to visit our local Mexican restaurant 🥰 It was such a delicious meal, and a great experience! Also, I ate too much.. 🤭

@Texreader @Butterfinger

Thank you for tagging me, @Texreader ❤ And sorry for being late - it's a busy time right now... 😅

1. One of the books I'm reading at the moment.
2. Hubby and me celebrating 10 years of being together 💖
3. People interrupting me... Like trying to talk to me. Or our neighbours screaming (again). Or TV noises.... Urgh... 😣

I'm tagging whoever hasn't been tagged yet, and wants to join in 😄

@MoonWitch94 #thoughtfulthursday

A Three Stars Pick. It's a cute story, but didn't fully draw me in. Maybe it was because I had a hard time getting used to the reader of the audio book. The story itself comes up with a nice idea, which I enjoyed. Sadly, the characters are way to stereotypical. That might be another reason I couldn't enjoy the story as much as I had hoped. Will not continue, unless it just happens.
@TheAromaofBooks #BookSpinBingo

Even though the third book in the series has some great and spooky moments, and also develops its characters and the main storyline, it's only a slight pick for me. That's because it leaves me somewhat unsatisfied. The whole book feels rushed, and more like a volume 2.5 than a part 3. Well, let's see what the fourth instalment will bring.

@TheAromaofBooks #BookSpinBingo

I'm somewhat sorry to bail this book. It's an important one, and there are not many titles about Canadas naitives written by Europeans. Menrath is a great story-teller on stage, but sadly, his writing is... Boring. The text feels like wgen an elderly teacher, bored with their life and their job, keeps on reciting the same texts over and over again. Sorry, but I simply can't read this book...

@TheAromaofBooks #BookSpinBingo

This book has recently won an award, but I've already forgotten which one. But the prize was the only reason I read it. After finishing it, I can say that I wouldn't have had to. It's just another dystopian book, and the only interesting thing about it is the Chinese background of the MC. The book sort of felt like TWD without the action and boring zombies. Not a pan, but I'm not convinced either.

@TheAromaofBooks #BookSpinBingo

Wow - I finally made my #BookSpinBingo board 😅 Busy, busy times, and it will get only more busy as Christmas time is about to happen. But still, I managed to make the one for November, and already finished two of the listed books. YES!

@TheAromaofBooks

I got lucky in our library coming along this book. I didn't know that there's a new book out by Tade Thompson (still waiting for his next Rosewater novel to be translated). Of course I got it without any hesitation. And I was not disappointed.

The story is set in a fictional city/country. But there's no doubt that what Thompson is writing about is more than real. This is all happening right now, on many places around the globe. ⬇

Of course I had to read something by the Nobel Prize winner in Literature. But actually I got lucky to get this book, since all his German translations are out of print.
Honestly, if I wouldn't know about the prize, I wouldn't say that I just read a Nobel laureate. Maybe it's the translation, but tbh I've read better books about migration and life as a refugee than this one. It's not bad, but imo not something I'd connect with the Nobel prize🤷‍♀️

Yesterday's lunch was another dip into the foodverse of #Mexico - A Southern Quinoa Salad. It was tagged Mexican, but from different sources I knew that quinoa isn't a corn used in Mexico, so I substituted it with their traditional amaranth. So filling and tasty! 😋

I also watched the short movie Lorena, Light-Footed Woman, about a girl from Mexico who keeps on winning marathons. In her traditional skirt and sandals! I can only recommend it!

Wow, I not only managed to finish this one in October, I also got down to review it in time! 😄

I only read this one because it includes the story 3.5 by JL Merrow, and I want to read all parts of her Plumber Mysteries. The first stories in this collection were really good, I even added one or two authors to my TBR on GR. But for some reason, all the later texts didn't catch me. They all sounded the same (evil Russian guy, anyone?) ⬇

This wasn't planned, but I planned to try Jamie Olivers Vegetarian Chilli for lunch (including the Tortilla-Avocado salad), and while cooking realized that this is the perfect start for #FoodandLit in November 🤭 Also, I had to eat one of my sweets early, since the wrapping was open... All dishes were enormously tasty and make me wanna eat more 😋❤️

#Mexico @Texreader @Butterfinger

A lovely crime novel with a lovely MC. Somewhere between a Pick and a So-So, since I won't continue the series, but still had a good time while listening to it. It had some good moments, the story is relaxing, but all in all I guess I won't remember it all too long.

@Texreader @Butterfinger #FoodandLit #Zambia
@TheAromaofBooks #BookSpinBingo

Also cleared another #BookSpinBingo board 😄 I'm always so happy when I manage to get the final check 😁

The new Bingo is already waiting to be made!

@TheAromaOfBooks

While there were many things about this book I really liked (Thrawn himself, the culture, Thalias' and Che'ris relationship) I still can only rate it as a So-So. For me, the book lacked of depth and could've used more charaterization. As many Star Wars novels are, this one is very story-driven, but Zahn just couldn't catch my attention for long. I was hoping for a bit more... But let's see what's more to come, right?

Well, FINALLY I've read this important piece of literature by Goethe. It had a huge impact on society and culture, but just how big it was only came clear to me after reading the added information in this book. The story itself sadly didn't really appeal to me - I just didn't know enough about the Greek background... But - I finally read it! 😁

My order for our #FoodandLit journey to #Mexico has arrived 😍 Since I couldn't get anything for #Zambia I'm more than happy to discover the tastes of #Mexico 🤩

@Texreader @Butterfinger

Nope. Done. Already volume one was only a So-So, but it had some good action scenes and some nice dialogues, so I hoped I would like the second volume more. But nope. I'm done with this series, it's just not for me. The named library isn't of any importance at all, there's too much angst, too much romance, to little action, and sooo much boredom on my side.

@TheAromaofBooks #BookSpinBingo
@TheSpineView #SeriesRead2021
@AkashaVampie #SeriesBingo

When I found this book, it sounded familiar. Then I remembered that it was mentioned and highly recommended in the book about the Sky Disc of Nebra I read earlier this year. The authors said, that even though already an older book, it's still worth reading and highly anticipated among archaeologists. I took it home immediately.

And yes, it was such a fascinating read! Ceram writes easy, for the everyday human, not the scientists. Telling us ⬇

If you believe it or not, I'm already done writing my #BookSpinBingo list for November. The December one is already half done 😂
My ordered copy of The Bronzed Beasts has arrived, so I'm finally able to finish it.

#BookSpin #DoubleSpin @TheAromaOfBooks

I found this book in a box with FREE written on it. And how could I not adopt someone like Kleist? Even though this biography is already an older one (1958), I still think it was worth reading. I've learned a lot about Kleists life and his death (and really how much do those facts change during the years?). The last part is about his works and how the author interprets them. ⬇

“Öpadia“ means “sometimes“ and sometimes things are happening even in a small Swiss village. This is the story of Juli (July), who was born in September, living her quiet life in her village. But as we said, sometimes things are happening...

This is a quiet book, just as Julis life is, but it's heartwarming and special. Special since the dialogues are written in our own dialects, ⬇

Not tagged book, but close enough 😉

This is the third and last instalment of Season One of the Inglorious Bitches. Once again Benny B. Savage entertain us with a lot of action, witty dialogues and crazy ideas. There are explosives, there are shootings, and there are a lot of fights to fight.

I really, really hope there will be a Second Season. Yes, Savage delivers what I like and what I need. So please more of this!

I don't know why, but with each book I like the series more. To bad for me - there's only one left to go... But I really enjoyed this volume. These books are easy to read, something for the heart, not the mind. Maybe that's why I indulge them the way I do. They're Fast Food compared to the nonfiction and literary titles I'm reading right now. Also, finally the characters seem to fit and the crime part is catchy and interesting.

I came along this book only by accident. But it sounded intriguing, so I loaned it from our library. I'm still not sure what to think about it, but it sure is a pick.

Maron writes about war. But unlike any other did before. She writes about the big wars and the tiny ones. How they affect us in our safe and comfortable lives. She makes a connection from the Thirty Years' War to todays conflicts.

Also, we get to see ourselves through the eyes ⬇

Well, I did expect more of this... But maybe my hope were to high after reading VE Schwab and Winterhouse. In Eldredge's book are just too many scenes that don't make sense to me. One I did not find suitable for a children's book, and she goes way to easy on the Good-Evil-Parts. Also, the characters aren't well drawn. At least I did not like a single one of them. Only Fader was cool enough. I still rate it a So-So, because there were some ⬇

I read this novelette for #FoodAndLit since it's set in #Zambia - but tbh it could take place anywhere in the world. Of course, on only 60 one cannot go very deep into history and backgrounds, but all in all it was way to superficial. I still rate it So-So since I liked the way the relationship between Tanny and Jacob was portrayed.

@Butterfinger @Texreader
@TheAromaofBooks #BookSpinBingo

Even though I'm very slow in reading this series, I still highly enjoy them. I love the atmosphere in the stories, and of course Geralt as a silent and sturdy hero. This volume is very political, and I admit I couldn't follow everything that was happening. But I take is as Geralt does - I keep aside, but with a watchful eye on what's going on. Maybe now I'll continue the series a bit faster, but I don't think Geralt really cares. Every book has ⬇

So, everybody's fuzzing about Locke Lamora. I was pretty sure that this wouldn't be a book for me. But when a fellow challenge participant asked to read it together, I was intrigued. One can still DNF after a while, right?

Well... Turns out that I listened to the 25 hours audio book within no time. Now I know what the fuzz is all about, and I'm totally fuzzing along. I was so captivated and couldn't get myself to stop. This Locke guy is such ⬇

I managed a #BookSpinBingo 😁 I thought it was going to be a bit more complicated this month, since I don't count the DNF and the delayed book. But it happened anyway. Without me noticing it 😆

Now it's time to clear the board!

@TheAromaofBooks #BookSpinBingo

Challenges will lead you to all sorts of books. This one was a Challenge pick and yes, it's just as cute as it looks. Who didn't want to have a talking animal friend when they were kids? Or even now? I guess I could read more of this series asap. That's just something for the heart (if you're a grown-up), and a lot of fun to read (for kids and grown-ups).

@TheAromaofBooks #BookSpinBingo

I liked the book in the beginning, but as soon as the first part was over, I started to get a little bored with it. The desciptions of how the bridge was being built were fascinating, but then everything had to be about lovey-dovey again 🙄 The third part was a bit more interesting again, but the author had mostly lost me by then. But I still love his writing style.

@TheAromaofBooks #BookSpinBingo